Wonderland: Where Boys Cry
Honours Project Portfolio
Heriot-Watt University
Spring 2024
This honors collection is designed as a conceptual expression of a surreal “Wonderland” where boys are allowed to cry. The collection attempts to raise awareness and inspire conversation around young men being able to express themselves and their emotions/mental health concerns without fear of prejudice from societal norms. This is the kind of new future I would like to build for upcoming generations, especially for my younger brother. Additionally, the collection serves as a commentary on the pressures that society places on male sartorial choice and how perceptions of masculinity and “manly dress codes” influence current menswear options.
The garments themselves serve as an interpretation of different mental states as the extreme visualizations of certain mental disorders inspired by the symbolic psyches of characters from AliceinWonderland . Key elements such as spikes, chains and sheer mesh are metaphorical interpretations of these disorders, and the color palette is guided by meaningful color psychology analysis.
The collection draws from a number of menswear icons who question masculinity as well, and focuses on musicians YUNGBLUD and MGK as the muses, in order to emulate their edgy styles and rebellious nature. Targeting a young, politically and socially active male generation who are not afraid to express themselves, the collection plays on society's expectations of masculine behavior and dress. Even though deconstructed, and redefined masculinity has been addressed by multiple designers, it is rarely through the lens of mental health and emotional wellbeing, which is exactly what this collection aims to do. Additionally, menswear collections often focus on either formal-wear or casual-wear but the goal is creating an alternative to both and widening opportunities for male expression, through clothing and style, but in the emotional/personal sense too.
